Container with fastener

ABSTRACT

A plant container comprising a lower section, an upper section removably securable to said lower section so as to define a cavity therein, said upper section presenting a top opening communicating with said cavity, fastening means associated with said upper and lower sections for fastening said upper section to said lower section.

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/774,805 filed on Feb. 1, 2001.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to containers for plants orshrubs and particularly relates to a container for a bulb and a methodof planting a bulb in a container.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] The most popular and common container for potted plants andshrubs is of the type where the top cross-section or volume of earth ornutrient is greater than the bottom. Such tapered pots may comprise ofplastic or clay material in a fashion well known to those personsskilled in the art.

[0004] Such prior art pots are generally planted by first introducingsoil in the bottom section of the tapered plant and then introducingseed or bulbs on top of such soil and thereafter topping up the pot withfurther soil or nutrient.

[0005] Such prior art tapered pots are not generally efficient in termsof providing sufficient volumetric space for the roots of the plantwhich tend to concentrate at the bottom section of the pot which tapersto provide less and less cross-sectional area towards the bottom of thetapered prior art pots.

[0006] Furthermore such prior art pots are generally non-decorative orappealing to look at since they comprise generally of the same shape.

[0007] Various attempts have heretofore been made to improve on suchprior art tapered pots.

[0008] For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,516 discloses a segmentedcontainer for potted plants and shrubs of the type defining an invertedconical shape or spherical zone segment which provides greater volume ofearth at the base of the container than at the top to incur greater andhealthier root growth. The container assembly consists of a base and twoor more separable upper section shell segments which are separable alonga vertical line and having circumferential sealing means.

[0009] Moreover U.S. Pat. No. D278,521 relates to an ornamental designfor a two part flower container while U.S. Pat. No. 2,834,153 relates toa venting cone for use in the lower part of a flower pot adapted to bepositioned over the opening in the bottom thereof comprising an annularrim having spacing nodes extending from the undersurface, a wall havingan intermediate portion of interlay strips extending upwardly from theupper edge of the rim, and inperforate cone extending from the upperedge of the wall to the apex of the device.

[0010] Moreover U.S. Pat. No. 1,534,508 relates to a device for testingsoil or seed comprising a closed frusto-conical container having its endwalls formed by removable discs adapted to fit the container bodysnugly, one of said discs being apertured to permit insertion of seedwhen the container is charged with soil.

[0011] Yet another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,932 whichteaches a container split in half longitudinally. The two half sectionsmay be separate, in which case they are held together by the walls of acrate into which a number of the containers are placed. Alternativelythe sections may be connected together along their bottom margins by ahinge.

[0012] Yet another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,918 whichshows a flower pot comprising an upper pot, lower pot, with means thatcan regulate the water supply to the soil and a means that can adjustthe exposed area of the soil to the water, thereby minimizing theunfavourable effect of the drastic changes of the weather.

[0013] Yet another arrangement is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,896which relates to a container and methodology for growing a plant insoil, soil within an area defined by an annular inner wall having anopen top end to expose the soil and plant to ambient air; the inner wallincludes transverse holes around its circumference and up its length. Inone embodiment the inner wall includes a water impervious circumferalband at its upper end to help maintain the soil top surface dry. Anouter annular wall of water impervious material laterally surrounds, inspaced relationship, the inner wall to define an open space with upperopening between the walls into which water can be applied and air mayflow.

[0014] Finally U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,506 relates to a support collarassembly which is designed, primarily to fell a need for a simple,reliable and economical way of suspending and supporting standard flowerpots, and the like within any one of a series of larger diameteredcontainers, or within deeper containers.

[0015] These and other prior art devices present relatively complicatedstructures which are not well suited for easily and simply plantingseeds, shrubs, bulbs or the like.

[0016] It is an object of this invention to provide an improvedcontainer, which may be easily used, for planting bulbs of the like.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0017] It is an aspect of this invention to provide a plant containercontaining side walls extending from a bottom to a top opening so as todefine a cavity, said top opening smaller than said bottom; means forintroducing seeds of said plant into said cavity from said bottom.

[0018] It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a containerfor a bulb comprising sidewalls extending generally upwardly andinwardly from a bottom to top opening so as to define a cavity; saidbottom including an opening for introducing said bulb into said cavity;removable means for closing said opening.

[0019] It is another aspect of this invention to provide a method ofplanting a bulb in a container having sidewalls extending generallyinwardly from a bottom to a top opening so as to define a cavity, saidbottom having an opening, comprising the steps of disposing saidcontainer upside down with said top opening pointing downward;introducing said bulb into said cavity through said bottom opening wheresaid top opening is smaller than said bulb; filling said cavity withsoil; closing said bottom opening; disposing said container right sideup.

[0020] It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a method ofplanting a bulb in a container having upper and lower mating andseparable sidewall sections, said mated sidewall sections extendinggenerally inwardly from a bottom surface to a top opening so as todefine a cavity, said method comprising the steps of separating saidupper sidewall section from said lower sidewall section; placing soiland a bulb into said lower sidewall section; placing said upper sidewallsection into registrable mating disposition with said lower sidewallsection.

[0021] It is another aspect of this invention to provide a plantcontainer comprising a lower section, an upper section removablysecurable to said lower section so as to define a cavity therein, saidupper section presenting a top opening communicating with said cavity;said fastening means associated with said upper and lower sections forfastening said upper section to said lower section.

[0022] It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a plantcontainer comprising: a lower section presenting upstanding sidewall; anupper section presenting upper sidewalls separable from and registrablewith said lower sidewalls to define a cavity therein, said upper sectionpresenting a top opening communicating with said cavity; said lowersidewalls presenting a lip means at the upper end thereof; said upperupstanding sidewalls presenting means for capturing said lip means toprevent separation of said upper section from said lower section whenlifting said upper section.

[0023] It is also an aspect of this invention to provide a method ofplanting a bulb in a container having a lower section with upstandingsidewalls and an upper section having upper sidewalls and a top opening,said upper section separable from and registrable with said lowersection, said lower side walls presenting displaceable means and saidupper upstanding sidewalls presenting means for capturing saiddisplaceable means, comprising the steps of introducing a bulb into theconfines of said lower upstanding sidewalls; aligning said upper sectionover said lower section; displacing said upper section and said lowersection towards one another from a first separated position to a secondlocked position where said displaceable means is captured by saidcapturing means; filling said cavity defined by said lower section andsaid upper section with soil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of theinvention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the second embodiment ofthe invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the third embodiment ofthe invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plug.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of theinvention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 with the upper and lowersidewall sections separated from one another.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a another perspective view of FIG. 6.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of three other embodiments ofthe invention.

[0032]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the mating surfacesbetween the upper and lower sidewall sections.

[0033]FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment ofthe invention.

[0034]FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of FIG.10.

[0035]FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the fastening means of FIG. 11.

[0036]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the upper section illustratingstop means.

[0037]FIG. 13a is a partial exploded view of FIG. 13.

[0038]FIG. 14 is a bottom view of FIG. 10.

[0039]FIG. 15 is another embodiment of the invention whereby thefastening means comprise of threads.

[0040]FIG. 16 is another embodiment of the invention illustratingbayonet connection.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughoutthe specification and the drawings with the same respective referencenumerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and in someinstances proportions may have been exaggerated in order to more clearlydepict certain features of the invention.

[0042]FIG. 1 generally illustrates one embodiment of the invention,which illustrates the container 2 having a bottom 4 and a top 6.Sidewalls 8 extend generally upwardly and inwardly from the bottom 4towards the top 6. The top 6 presents an opening 10, which is generallysmaller in size than the bottom 4. Furthermore the top opening 10 isgenerally smaller in size than the bulb 12, but does not need to be. Theplant 12 may comprise of any seeds, shrubs, bulbs or the like. In theembodiment illustrated a bulb has been shown although the inventionshould not be limited thereto.

[0043] The sidewalls 8 extend generally inwardly from the bottom 4 tothe top opening 10 so as to resemble the side profile of a bulb.

[0044] The bottom 4 in FIG. 1 presents a bottom opening 14. The bottomopening 14 may be closed by the plug 16 as shown in FIG. 1 which isadapted to be inserted in the hole 14 or by a bottom surface 18 shown inFIG. 3 which is adapted to embrace the lower portions of the sidewall 8.

[0045] The hole 14 shown in FIG. 1 provides access into the cavitydefined by the sidewalls 8 and may include the shoulder 20 and undercut22. The plug 16 is more fully shown in FIG. 4 and includes a solid endwall 24, solid circumferential walls 26 extending from the wall 24. Thesolid circumferential wall 26 includes a radial flange section 28 whichis adapted to be received by the undercut 22 as shown in FIG. 1. Theinner portion 30 of the plug may be hollow.

[0046] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is similar to the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 apart from the side profile of the sidewalls 8 where thesidewalls 8 in FIG. 2 extend generally inwardly from the bottom 4 to thetop opening 6.

[0047] The configuration shown in FIG. 2 resembles more of a spherewhile that in FIG. 1 resembles a bulb.

[0048]FIG. 1 includes means for introducing seeds, bulbs or the likeinto the cavity 32 from the bottom 4. In particular such means comprisesthe opening 14 at bottom 4 and the removable plug 16 for closing saidopening.

[0049] Accordingly FIG. 1 illustrates a method of planting a bulb 12into a container 2 having sidewalls 8 extending generally inwardly froma bottom 4, a top opening 10 so as to define a cavity 32. Such methodincludes the steps of disposing the container 2 upside down with the topopening 10 pointing downwardly. Then the bulb 12 is introduced into thecavity 32 through the bottom opening 14 where the top opening 10 issmaller than the bulb so as to prevent the bulb from dropping throughthe opening. Alternatively, some plant mesh material may be firstintroduced into the cavity 32 so as to plug the opening 10. Thereafterthe bulb 12 may be introduced into the cavity 32 through the opening 14.Thereafter the cavity can be filled with soil and the bottom openingclosed. The bottom opening may be closed with the plug 16 as shown inFIG. 1 or the bottom surface 18 as shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter thecontainer 2 is disposed right side up.

[0050] The container shown in FIG. 2 may also be used similarly to thatshown in FIG. 1 so as to introduce the bulb 12 into cavity 32 as shownin FIG. 2.

[0051] The container 2 may be comprised of a variety of materialsincluding clay or plastic. Furthermore the plug 16 or bottom surface 18may comprise of a variety of materials including plastic or the like.

[0052]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of the inventionwhereby the means for introducing seed or bulb into container 2comprises a split 34 in the sidewalls 8.

[0053] More particularly the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6illustrates an upper sidewall section 36 and a lower sidewall section38. The upper sidewall section presents the top opening 10 while thelower sidewall section 38 presents a bottom 4. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 5 the bottom 4 will generally consist of a solid bottom surfacewhich is integral with a lower sidewall section 38. Alternatively thebottom 4 could include the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1,2 and 3.

[0054] The upper sidewall section 36 is separable from the lowersidewall section 38 as shown in FIG. 6 so as to permit introducing ofthe bulb or the like into the cavity 32. Furthermore the upper sidewallsection is registrable in mating fashion with the lower sidewall section38 as shown in FIG. 5 so as to contain the bulb 12 in the cavity 32.

[0055]FIG. 8 shows other embodiments of the invention whereby thecontainer 2 includes upper sidewall section 36 and lower sidewallsection 38 which is split along the line 34. The split 34 may besubstantially linear as shown by the middle container 2 as shown in FIG.8 or may be non-linear as shown by the left and right containers asshown in FIG. 8.

[0056] Furthermore the container 2 may include a variety of shapes 40,42 and 44 of the lower sidewall section as well as a variety of uppersidewall sections 46, 48 and 50 as shown in FIG. 8, so as to provide avariety of pleasing decorative shapes which are aesthetic to the eye.

[0057] Moreover the stem 52 of the bulb grows through the top opening 10and may include at least one bulb.

[0058] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 will generallyinclude a solid bottom surface 4 although the bottom surface may includedrain holes 54 as required.

[0059] The containers 2 as shown in the embodiments herein are wellsuited for bulbous plants such as tulips, amaryllis or the like.

[0060] Moreover introducing water from the top opening 10 may water suchplants.

[0061] Furthermore the mating edge 56 of upper sidewall section 36 andthe mating edge 58 of lower sidewall section 38 may be orientated asshown in FIG. 9 so as to minimize the possibility of any waterintroduced into the container 2 from spilling out and over the outersurface of the container 2. In particular the mating edges 56 and 58 maybe disposed so as to deflect any moisture back into the cavity 32.Furthermore the mating edges 56 and 58 may be orientated as shown inFIG. 9 so as to assist the registration of the mating edges of the uppersidewall section with the lower sidewall section 38.

[0062] The embodiments shown in the drawings illustrate a bottom havingan opening for introducing the bulb into the cavity and removable meansfor closing said opening. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 suchremovable means comprises a plug 16 for closing the opening 14 in thebottom 4.

[0063]FIG. 3 illustrates the removable means as comprising a bottom wall18 adapted to embrace the side of the sidewall 8. In particular thebottom wall 18 closes the opening 14.

[0064] The removable means in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 comprises:

[0065] (a) the upper sidewall section 36 which presents the top opening10;

[0066] (b) the lower sidewall section 38 presenting the bottom 4

[0067] said upper and lower sidewall sections;

[0068] (c) separable from one another so as to permit introduction ofsaid bulb into the cavity 32;

[0069] (d) registrable with one another in mating fashion so as tocontain the bulb 12 in cavity 32.

[0070] FIGS. 5-9 illustrate a method of planting a bulb or the like in acontainer 2 having upper and lower mating and separable sidewallssections 36 and 38, where said sidewall sections extend generallyinwardly from a bottom surface 4 to a top opening 10 so as to define acavity 32, such method comprising the steps of:

[0071] (a) separating the upper sidewall section 36 from the lowersidewall section 38;

[0072] (b) placing soil and a bulb 12 into the lower sidewall section38;

[0073] (c) placing said upper sidewall section 36 into registrablemating disposition with the lower sidewall section 38.

[0074] The stem 52 of the bulb 12 grows through the top opening 10 asillustrated by the drawings.

[0075]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of theinvention where the container 2 has an upper section 35 and a lowersection 37 which are generally circular in cross-section and co-axiallydisposed relative to one another. More specifically, the container 2includes upper sidewall section 36 and lower sidewall section 38. Thelower section 37 includes a bottom surface 4 which merges withupstanding lower sidewall section 38. Drain holes 54 may be presented inthe bottom surface 4. Furthermore, the upper section 35 includes a topopening 10.

[0076] In the embodiment show in FIG. 10, fastening means 70 areassociated with the upper and lower sections 35 and 37 respectively forfastening the upper section 35 to the lower section 37.

[0077] More specifically, FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of thefastening means 70 which comprises of displaceable means 72 which in theexploded view of FIG. 12 comprises of a lip, extension or protrusion 74which is adapted to be captured by a capturing means 76. The capturingmeans comprises of a recess 78 which is adapted to receive the lip 74.The recess 78 may be an annular recess or a recess which is presentedalong portions of the upper section 35.

[0078] More specifically the lip 74 can be presented by one of the upperor lower sections 35 or 37 while the capturing means 76 is presented bythe other one of said upper section 35 or lower section 37. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 11 and 12, the displaceable means or lip 74 ispresented by the lower section 37 and the capture means as presented bythe upper section 35. The capture means comprises of an annular recess78 presented by the upper section 35 while the displaceable means or lipcomprises an annular lip presented by the upper part of lower section37.

[0079] In one embodiment the upper and lower sections 35 and 37 compriseof plastic which are flexible. In operation, the upper section 35 isaligned with the lower section 37 in a coaxial manner along the axis 75and the upper section 37 is pressed down over the lower section 37whereby the annular lip 74 is displaced slightly inwardly, i.e. radiallyinwardly in reference to the axis 75 so as to permit the bevelledsurface 80 of lip 74 to contact the angled guide surface 82. Uponfurther pressing down on the upper section 35 over the lower section 37the annular lip 74 will be displaced inwardly so as to be “snapped” intoplace into the annular recess 78 so as to be captured thereby. In otherwords the fastening means comprises pressure applied snap locks.

[0080] The size and material of the displaceable means 74 and capturemeans 76 is selected so that the upper section 35 will not separate fromthe lower section 37 when someone lifts the upper section with thecontainer filled with soil and the plant.

[0081]FIG. 13 illustrates that a stop means 90 may be presented whichcomprise of vertical ribs 90 so as to prevent the upper section 35 frombeing displaced any further relative the lower section 37 once thedisplaceable means 74 are captured by the capture means 76. Furthermore,the stop means or ribs 90 serve to rigidify the upper section. The stopmeans shown in the figures are disposed interiorly of the upper section35 adjacent the capturing means 76.

[0082] As seen in FIGS. 10-13 the plant container 2 comprises:

[0083] (a) a lower section 37 which presents upstanding sidewalls 38;

[0084] (b) an upper section 35 presenting upper sidewalls 36 separablefrom and registrable with the lower sidewalls 38 to define a cavity 32therein, said upper section 35 presenting a top opening 10 communicatingwith the cavity 32;

[0085] (c) the lower sidewalls 38 presenting a lip means 74 at the upperend thereof;

[0086] (d) the upper upstanding sidewalls 36 presenting means 74 forcapturing said lip means 74 to prevent separation of the upper section36 from the lower section 38 when lifting the upper section.

[0087] The weight of the lower section 37 is selected to minimize thetipping over of the container 2 when the container contains a plant andsoil. Alternatively the lower section may be made wider and thereforecover more surface area for increased stability depending on testresults from different bulb variations.

[0088] Moreover, the upper section 35 presents the stop means 90 forpreventing further travel of the upper section 35 relative to the lowersection 37 when the lip 74 is captured by the capture means 76.

[0089] The invention described herein further relates to a method ofplanting a bulb in a container which comprises the steps of:

[0090] (a) introducing a bulb within the confines of the base upstandingsidewalls 38;

[0091] (b) aligning the upper section 35 over the lower section 37;

[0092] (c) displacing the upper section 35 and the lower section 37towards one another from a first separated position to a second lockedposition where the displaceable means 74 is captured by the capturingmeans 76;

[0093] (d) then filling the cavity 32 defined by the lower section 35and upper section 37 with soil.

[0094]FIG. 15 also illustrates another embodiment of the inventionwhereby the fastening means 72 comprises threads 92 presented by thelower section 37 and threads 94 presented by the upper section 35rotatably registrable with the threads 92 of the lower section 37. Morespecifically, the upper section 35 presents threads 92 exteriorly of theupper sidewalls 36 and the lower section 37 presents threads 92interiorly of the lower sidewalls 38.

[0095] Moreoever FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the inventionwhereby the fastening means comprises a bayonet means 98.

[0096] It should be apparent that the various features or structuresfound throughout FIGS. 1-16 may be mixed; for example the separation ofFIG. 10 could be curved as shown in FIG. 5.

[0097] The container 2 as shown herein provides an aestheticallypleasing shape. Furthermore the method of planting a bulb or the likewith the container 2 shown herein may be quickly and easily performedand well adapted for automated means.

[0098] Various embodiments of the invention have now been described indetail.

[0099] Since changes in and/or additions to the above-described bestmode may be made without departing from the nature, spirit or scope ofthe invention, the invention is not to be limited to said details.

1. A plant container comprising: (a) a lower section; (b) an uppersection removably securable to said lower section so as to define acavity therein, said upper section presenting a top openingcommunicating with said cavity; (c) fastening means associated with saidupper and lower sections for fastening said upper section to said lowersection.
 2. A plant container as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidfastening means comprises: (a) displaceable means presented by one ofsaid upper or lower sections; (b) capture means presented by said otherof said upper or lower sections for capturing said displaceable meansfor fastening said upper section to said lower section.
 3. A plantcontainer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said displaceable means ispresented by said lower section and said capture means is presented bysaid upper section.
 4. A plant container as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid capture means comprises a recess for capturing said displaceablemeans.
 5. A plant container as claimed in claim 4 wherein saiddisplaceable means comprises a flexible lip.
 6. A plant container asclaimed in claim 5 wherein said upper section presents upper side wallsand said lower section presents lower side walls, said upper side wallspresenting said flexible lip and said lower side walls presenting saidrecess.
 7. A plant container as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidfastening means comprises: (a) threads presented by said lower section;(b) threads presented by said upper section rotatably registrable withsaid threads of said lower section.
 8. A plant container as claimed inclaim 7 wherein said upper section presents threads exteriorly of saidupper side walls and said lower section presents threads interiorly ofsaid lower side walls.
 9. A plant container as claimed in claim 1wherein fastening means comprises bayonet means.
 10. A plant containercomprising: (a) a lower section presenting upstanding side walls; (b) anupper section presenting upper side walls separable from and registrablewith said lower side walls to define a cavity therein, said uppersection presenting a top opening communicating with said cavity; (c)said lower side walls presenting a lip means at the upper end thereof;(d) said upper upstanding side walls presenting means for capturing saidlip means to prevent separation of said upper section from said lowersection when lifting said upper section.
 11. A plant container asclaimed in claim 10 comprising flexible plastic.
 12. A plant containeras claimed in claim 1 wherein the weight of said lower section isselected to minimize the tipping over of said container when saidcontainer contains a plant and soil.
 13. A plant container as claimed inclaim 11 wherein said upper section presents stop means for preventingfurther travel of said upper section relative said lower section whensaid lip is captured by said capture means.
 14. A method of planting abulb in a container having a lower section with upstanding side wallsand an upper section having upper side walls and a top opening, saidupper section separable from and registrable with said lower section,said lower side walls presenting displaceable means and said upperupstanding side walls presenting means for capturing said displaceablemeans; comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a bulb within theconfines of said lower upstanding side walls; (b) aligning said uppersection over said lower section; (c) displacing said upper section andsaid lower section towards one another from a first separated positionto a second locked portion where said displaceable means is captured bysaid capturing means; (d) filling the cavity defined by said lowersection and said upper section with soil.
 15. A method as claimed inclaim 14 wherein said upper section is prevented from being displacedbeyond said second locked position by stop means.
 16. A method asclaimed in claim 15 wherein the weight of said lower section is selectedto minimize the tipping over of said container when filled with soil anda mature plant.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein saiddisplaceable mea ns and said catch means are selected to preventseparation of said upper section from said lower section when saidcontainer contains soil and a mature plant, and said upper section islifted.
 18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein said displaceablemeans and said capture means snap into said second locked position.